Youth Olympic gold on the line as Dakar 2026 sevens schedule confirmed

The rugby sevens schedule for the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games has been confirmed, running from November 1 to 3 at CID Stadium. Germany and Canada will begin men's pool play before host nation Senegal faces South Africa. Eight men's teams will compete for gold, with 2018 medalists Argentina, France, and Japan drawn alongside Uganda in Pool B.

The women's tournament starts Monday, concluding with playoff and medal matches on Tuesday. Australia features as the only participating country to have previously won a women's sevens Youth Olympic gold medal, while reigning champions New Zealand are absent. Luisa Moala will co-captain the United States squad, competing alongside her sister Eseta.